Apophyllite Gemstone: Properties, Meanings, Value & More

Apophyllite (pronounced uh-PAW-fih-lite or A-poh-FEE-lite) is a gemstone in the apophyllite mineral group. The stone is usually white but also comes in various different colors. 

Though some still consider apophyllite an individual mineral, others only use “apophyllite” for the group, referring to fluorapophyllite-(K) as the main mineral. 

The stone is often deemed an essential collector’s mineral, though it's not rare at all — in fact, it’s abundant worldwide. That said, certain colors of apophyllite are rare and facetable crystals are scarce.

Today, we’ll tell you all about apophyllite, including its varieties, metaphysical properties, and price points, so you can browse apophyllite for sale with confidence. Let’s get started with the basics. 

About Apophyllite Stone

Apophyllite is a semi-precious gemstone with a name sometimes spelled “apofillite.” It actually has many alternate names and nicknames, such as:

• Brünichite / Brünnichite / Brünnikite

• Ichthyophthalme / Ichthyophthalmite

• Tesselite

• Mesoype

• Leucocyclite

• Oxhaverite / Oxheverite

• Fisheye Stone

• Pyramidal Zeolite

The last nickname listed above comes from the fact that apophyllite minerals are chemically similar to zeolite minerals. Speaking of mineral characteristics… 

Apophyllite Specifications & Characteristics

Apophyllite, or fluorapophyllite-(K) to some mineralogists, is a hydrated potassium calcium fluorine phyllosilicate. Its formula is usually written as KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)•8H2O, though it can also be written as KCa4[Si8O22]F•8H2O.

The stone forms a mineral series with fluorapophyllite-(Na) and hydroxyapophyllite-(K).

Fluorapophyllite-(K), the stone we’re referring to as “apophyllite” throughout, is the most abundant mineral in the group. Fluorapophyllite-(Na) is the rarest member. 

Apophyllite’s crystals are usually pseudo-cubic, prismatic, or tabular (table-like). You may also see pyramidal crystals or apophyllite druzy growing on other rocks or minerals. A few specimens are also beloved for having spherical clusters of pseudo-cubic crystals, resembling a disco ball. 

The stone only has one variety: chromocyclite. Chromocyclite is a type of apophyllite defined by displaying interference rings in different colors under cross-polarized light. 

This method is usually done to determine if a stone is birefringent (having two refractive indices instead of just one). Interestingly, apophyllite’s birefringence is so low, it may seem isotropic (only having one refractive index). 

Below are the remaining apophyllite mineral properties: 

• Mohs hardness: 4.5-5

• Color: Commonly colorless or white; Yellow, brown, red, gray, pink, blue, green

• Crystal structure: Tetragonal; Pseudo-cubic (crystals)

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy) or pearly

• Transparency: Transparent to translucent

• Refractive index: 1.530 -1.543

• Density: 2.3-2.5

• Cleavage: Perfect on [001], imperfect on [110]

• Fracture: Uneven

• Streak: White

• Luminescence: Sometimes fluorescence - Blue-green and yellow in LW-UV

• Pleochroism: None

• Birefringence: 0.000-0.003

• Dispersion: High

What other minerals are in the apophyllite group? 

Apophyllite Group Minerals

The members of the apophyllite group and their individual compositions are listed below. All the minerals are phyllosilicates and have tetragonal crystal systems except for the orthorhombic fluorapophyllite-(Na). 

• Fluorapophyllite-(K): Hydrated potassium calcium fluorine silicate; KCa4Si8O20(F,OH)•8H2O

• Fluorapophyllite-(Na): Hydrated sodium calcium fluorine silicate; NaCa4(Si8O20)F•8H2O

• Fluorapophyllite-(Cs): Hydrated caesium calcium fluorine silicate; CsCa4(Si8O20)F•8H2O

• Fluorapophyllite-(NH4): Hydrated ammonium calcium fluorine silicate; NH4Ca4(Si8O20)F•8H2O

That’s enough mineralogy; what are the metaphysical properties of apophyllite?

Apophyllite Meaning & History

Dubbed a “new age” or “soul star” crystal, apophyllite is a high-vibration gem symbolizing connection of seemingly opposing concepts, like masculine and feminine. Apophyllite’s spiritual meaning also connects to intuition and enlightenment. 

Astrologically, apophyllite is a zodiac stone for two signs: Libra and Gemini. 

Libras are all about stability, so apophyllite’s meaning and uses are perfect for bringing this sign balance. Apophyllite also brings balance to the duality of Gemini.

History

French mineralogist René Just Haüy discovered apophyllite in 1806. While studying the mineral, he noticed it would exfoliate (flake off) when heated. Therefore, he chose the name based on the Greek terms apo, meaning “away from,” and phyllos, meaning “leaf.” 

The name of fluorapophyllite adds the prefix fluor- for the fluorine present in the stone’s composition. 

Over a century and a half later, the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) announced that “apophyllite” was only a classification for the group of minerals, not the individual stone. This led to debate in the mineralogy sphere in a controversy that is still ongoing.

In 2008, an article in American Mineralogist announced that IMA had voted to remove the “fluor-” prefix to the minerals after research revealed a member of the mineral series with hydroxyl completely replacing fluorine (hydroxyapophyllite). 

However, IMA decided to put back in the “fluor-” prefix only a few years later in 2013, though they didn’t change hydroxyapophyllite’s name.  

Outside of providing riveting debates among mineralogists, what is apophyllite good for? More specifically, what does apophyllite do spiritually? 

Apophyllite Healing Properties

All gemstones, apophyllite included, have inherent qualities that make them healing stones, one of these qualities being the energies of their coloring. 

White apophyllite is highly spiritual, described as a “divine white light” by some, that joins other white gemstones in providing clarity-enhancing and cleansing properties. 

The rare but highly sought-after green apophyllite evokes the properties of other green gems, promoting growth, inner peace, and a greater connection to nature. 

Now, what are the apophyllite crystal benefits for physical, emotional, and chakra healing?

Physical Healing

Physically, apophyllite is said to help treat

• Allergies

• Rashes

• Fatigue

• Stress/anxiety

• Memory loss

• Concentration problems

• Respiratory issues

In Tibet, apophyllite is believed to be especially helpful for treating allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. 

Emotional Healing

Emotionally, apophyllite can provide calming effects, dispelling negative or irrationally fearful thoughts. It’s also said to help you access your inner drive during times of stagnation or self-doubt, helping you confidently pursue your goals with passion.

Chakra Healing

Chakra healing involves resolving negative symptoms associated with a chakra (energy center) being blocked. Once they’re open or balanced, the entire chakra system can function smoothly. 

Apophyllite is a powerful chakra stone for opening the third eye chakra — the center of intuition, decision-making, and spiritual wisdom. Apophyllite also opens the highest center for spirituality: the crown chakra!

Pairing Crystals with Apophyllite

What crystals pair well with apophyllite? Given the stone’s strong, high vibrations, you may want to pair it with grounding, protective stones like hematite or black tourmaline if the energies feel too intense for you. 

However, if you want to enhance apophyllite’s cleansing abilities, you can pair it with crystals like selenite or clear quartz.

Image credit: Kay Günther / G-Empire The World of Gems / http://www.g-empire.de/ | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

Apophyllite Gemstone Properties

The value of an individual apophyllite gemstone depends on where it falls in terms of color, cut, clarity, carat weight, and treatments. 

Color

The most common apophyllite color is white or colorless, and apophyllite is known for being so white it can sometimes look almost silver. 

You may also see this stone sporting a shade of red, yellow, gray, or brown. Green apophyllite is the rarest, though blue and pink hues are also rare. Green hues come from the presence of vanadium (V4+) or iron.  

Cut

Apophyllite is incredibly difficult to cut into faceted gems, because of its softness (sitting at 4.5 to 5 on the Mohs mineral hardness scale), perfect cleavage, and tendency to crack under the heat of grinding and polishing. Thus, faceted apophyllites are rare and valuable commodities. 

More often, apophyllite is cut into cabochons or carvings, like an apophyllite point (also called a tower or wand) or other figurine. It’s also sold to collectors in its raw form, especially when it has attractive shapes like the extremely rare “disco ball” clusters mentioned earlier or druzy.  

Clarity & Transparency

Clarity describes the amount of visible inclusions in a gemstone. Apophyllite can be transparent to opaque, and transparent stones are most valuable. That said, inclusions can alter transparent stones’ appearance.

The most common inclusion you’ll see is apophyllite with stilbite, though celadonite is also a common inclusion. Unless it’s an attractive raw crystal specimen (e.g. apophyllite on a stilbite matrix), inclusions will lower the stone’s value. 

Carat Weight & Size

Most faceted apophyllite gems are colorless (some are green) and fairly small. Facetable rough is very rarely larger than 10 carats, and that’s before it’s cut down into a gem.

Some of the largest faceted apophyllite gems are a 24.92-carat freeform gem and a 7.05-carat colorless gem, both from India, along with a 15.4-carat colorless gem with a step cut. 

Treatments

Apophyllite may undergo irradiation, heat treatment, or surface coating. The first two are usually done to improve coloring, with irradiation turning colorless material green and heat reversing it back to colorless. 

Surface coatings done on apophyllite include synthetic diamond film coating or diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, either being done to increase the fragile stone’s durability and wearability. 

Outside the lab and back into nature, how does apophyllite form?

Apophyllite Formation & Sources

Apophyllite is a secondary, metamorphic mineral, meaning it forms when other minerals (and the rocks around them) undergo changes due to external conditions like heat, pressure, and weathering. 

What kind of rock is apophyllite found in? The mineral is usually found inside the once-open spaces (i.e. geodes, vesicles, cavities, cracks) of metamorphic rocks, spaces formed from gas bubbles while the lava cooled. You’ll usually see apophyllite inside lava rocks like basalt or trap rocks. 

Mining Locations

Apophyllite occurs in many locales around the world. Maharashtra, India, is currently the most significant producer for supplying colorless and apple-green apophyllite crystals, though not much facetable material is found here.

Additional important apophyllite sources include:

• Australia

• Brazil

• Canada

• China

• Faroe Islands

• Finland

• Germany

• Greenland

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Italy

• Japan

• Mexico

• Norway

• Russia

• Scotland

• South Africa

• Sweden

• USA (Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington)

The rarer green apophyllite stones were first found in India but now also come from Brazil and Canada. 

With the sources covered, let’s dive into the prices to expect. 

Apophyllite Price & Value

For the most part, apophyllite is pretty affordable. Given the difficulty and rarity of faceting apophyllite, these are the priciest option for this stone. Faceted apophyllite gems weighing 3 to 10 carats range from $50 to $600 per carat. 

In contrast, apophyllite crystal prices for raw crystal specimens range from $15 to $45 each at wholesale. Some may reach closer to $80 if other minerals (like pyrite) are included. 

Most apophyllite jewelry is in the form of pendants made from druzy or small, raw crystals. These start around $10 and are usually around $30 each, though rarer types like pink apophyllite pendants, can reach up to $850. 

Apophyllite Care and Maintenance

The first step of caring for a gemstone like apophyllite is choosing the right jewelry (if you’re browsing for jewelry). It’s only recommended for occasional wear, given the stone’s fragility. We also recommend jewelry with protective settings, especially more vulnerable pieces like an apophyllite bracelet or ring. 

The reason apophyllite flakes off when heated is because of its water content. Heat causes the water to evaporate, so that water loss causes exfoliation. 

The stone will also start to flake off from contact with acids or even rubbing it too hard with bare hands. 

Luckily, you can still gently clean the stone with the standard soft toothbrush, lukewarm water, and mild soap. Store apophyllite away from heat and other gemstones. 

Pursue Your Purpose with Apophyllite!

Though apophyllite is more well-known among collectors than everyday gemstone buyers, that only makes it a more unique option. 

Plus, its balancing and uplifting energies are great for anyone looking to explore their spirituality or simply welcome more joy and passion into their life. If that sounds like you, find the perfect apophyllite crystal for you today!

Buy apophyllite gemstones today!

Apophyllite